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Each year, about 10% of the fields planted to winter wheat in the US are not harvested because the plants fail to survive the winter. We investigate the response of wheat plants to all phases of the freezing process, from cold-acclimation at low, above-freezing temperatures, to tolerance of deep freezing. We have found that plants adjust to each part of the freezing process; a one-degree difference may make the difference between life and death. We identify genes involved in this freezing tolerance, and then find plants that express these genes very well, resulting in wheat germplasm with improved freezing tolerance.

Education:

Ph.D., Kansas State University, Plant Pathology, 1987

M.S., Kansas State University, Plant Pathology, 1984

B.A., Biology-Botany, St. Cloud State University, 1978

Professional Experience:

2001 to present: Agricultural Research Service (ARS) - Research Geneticist and Research Leader, Wheat Genetics: Quality Physiology and Disease Research Unit, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington

Kwang-Hyun, B., Skinner, D.Z. 2012. Production of reactive oxygen species by freezing stress and the protective roles of antioxidant enzymes in plants. Journal of Agricultural Chemistry and Environment. 1:34-40. doi:10.4236/jacen.2012.11006.

Chaisrisook, C., Stuteville, D. L. and Skinner, D. Z. 1995. Five Stemphylium species pathogenic to alfalfa; Occurrence in the US and time requirements for ascospore production. Plant Disease79:369-372.